Cincinnati, 18 August (H.S.): Germany’s Alexander Zverev advanced to the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open after defeating France’s Terence Atmane 7-6(4), 7-6(8) in a closely contested match on Monday.

In the second-set tiebreak, Zverev had two match points at 6-4. Atmane saved the first with a superb ace, while Zverev double-faulted on the second, bringing the score level at 6-6. However, the 29-year-old German won the next two points to seal the match. He completed the straight-sets victory in two hours and nine minutes.

19-year-old Jodar continues impressive campaign

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Spanish player Rafael Jodar continued his impressive run by defeating Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-1 to reach the round of 16. Jodar secured the victory in just 75 minutes.

He became the third teenage player this decade, after Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton, to reach the round of 16 in Cincinnati.

Jodar will next face world No. 10 Flavio Cobolli.

Cobolli defeated Alexander Blockx 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in a closely fought contest. After trailing 3-5 in the deciding set, the 24-year-old Italian won four consecutive games to complete the comeback.

Fils stuns ninth-seeded Lehecka

In another match, France’s Arthur Fils pulled off a major upset by defeating ninth-seeded Jiri Lehecka 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-3.

Fils had a match point at 7-6 in the second-set tiebreak, but Lehecka saved it to force a deciding set. Fils eventually sealed the victory in two hours and one minute.

Fils will now face fifth seed Alex de Minaur.

The Australian defeated Arthur Fery 7-5, 7-6(3) in a match that was interrupted by rain three times.

De Minaur led 5-1 in the second set at one stage, but Fery fought back by winning six consecutive games to take a 6-5 lead. However, de Minaur held his nerve under pressure and produced a strong performance in the tiebreak to complete the straight-sets victory.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar